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Elliptical user reviews

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Recommended ellipticals

Recommended ellipticals are standout choices with high scores. They include CR Best Buys, which offer exceptional value. When narrowing your choices, weigh features, price, and attributes that matter to you.

Elliptical exercisers are part stair-climber, part cross-country-ski machine. Your feet move in flattened circles—an elliptical pattern. The workout value comes from resistance that slows the ellipticals' flywheel as you try to turn it. If you have the space to devote to an indoor exercise machine, make sure you first try the elliptical exerciser at the store. If you're looking for information about elliptical exercisers, Consumer Reports is your best resource. Consumer Reports’ elliptical exerciser reviews will give you honest buying advice that you can trust. Use our elliptical exerciser buying guide to discover which features are most important to consider. We also provide unbiased Ratings and elliptical exerciser reviews to help you choose the best elliptical exerciser for your needs.

Ratings & recommended ellipticals

Ellipticals (22)

Workouts on an elliptical exerciser approach the cardio levels you can reach on a treadmill and are good for those with lower body joint issues where the impact from running is a concern.Recommended ellipticalsElliptical Ratings

Elliptical buying guide

Ellipticals mimic the motion of running but without the impact, nice if you have bad knees or you're rehabbing from a lower-body injury. And the moving hand grips and adjustable resistance allow you to turn a cardiovascular workout into a full-body workout. Thirty minutes on an elliptical might burn 180 to 270 calories for the typical user, Depending on the intensity of the workout. A good elliptical is sturdy, easy to use, and aligns with your natural running motion. We tested 22 models, and recommend 7 of them, including three CR Best Buys.

Like treadmills, the latest ellipticals offer high levels of personalization, thanks to their ability to connect directly to the Internet. As a result, the devices can be a major investment. The most expensive elliptical we tested cost $3,600. But our top-scoring model went for $2,200, and you can get a good machine for less than half that price.

Pricier ellipticals tended to be larger and sturdier, and their parts come with longer warranties. The top-rated model is solidly built, comes with a chest-strap heart-rate monitor, has 20 resistance levels, has a lifetime warranty on its frame, and earned top scores for heart rate features, ease of use, and user safety.

We divided our Ratings for ellipticals into two groups this year: those with heart-rate monitoring programs and, for the first time, those without them. Our most expensive model is actually one without a heart-rate monitor.